How can you effectively repel mosquitoes. What are the best methods to prevent mosquito bites. Which mosquito repellents are most effective. When are mosquitoes most active. How does clothing choice affect mosquito attraction. What environmental factors deter mosquitoes. How can you create a mosquito-free outdoor space.

Harnessing the Power of Wind to Deter Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are notoriously weak fliers, making wind an excellent natural deterrent. Even a gentle breeze of just over 1 MPH can significantly disrupt their flight patterns. Dr. Jonathan Day, a renowned mosquito expert and professor of medical entomology at the University of Florida, emphasizes the effectiveness of this simple strategy.

How can you use wind to your advantage in mosquito prevention?

• Choose breezy locations for outdoor activities
• Utilize electric fans in your outdoor spaces
• Direct airflow towards the lower half of your body

Focusing the breeze on lower body areas is particularly effective because mosquitoes tend to fly close to the ground to avoid wind. By creating this air barrier, you’re essentially blocking their approach.

It’s worth noting that while natural or artificial wind is highly effective, Dr. Day cautions against relying on marketed ultrasonic devices or apps claiming to repel mosquitoes through sound. These products, some of which purport to mimic dragonfly sounds, have not been proven effective in scientific studies.

Timing Your Outdoor Activities to Minimize Mosquito Exposure

Understanding mosquito behavior can help you plan your outdoor activities more strategically. Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University, points out that mosquitoes, like humans, have preferred feeding times.

When are mosquitoes most active?

• Dawn: As the sun rises
• Dusk: As the sun sets

These periods coincide with typically calmer wind conditions, making it easier for mosquitoes to fly and seek out prey. By scheduling your outdoor activities outside these peak mosquito hours, you can significantly reduce your risk of bites.

The Science Behind DEET: Maximizing Its Mosquito-Repelling Potential

DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) remains one of the most effective mosquito repellents available. Despite some public misconceptions, when used as directed, it’s both safe and highly efficient. DEET works by blocking a mosquito’s CO2 receptors, effectively making you “invisible” to these pests.

How should you properly apply DEET for maximum effectiveness?

1. Apply a small amount to your hands
2. Rub onto areas where skin is thin: ankles, elbows, wrists, forehead
3. Avoid spraying directly on body or clothes
4. Reapply as needed, based on the product’s DEET concentration

Dr. Day clarifies that a product’s DEET concentration determines its longevity, not its effectiveness. For most outdoor activities lasting up to 90 minutes, a 7-10% DEET product is sufficient. If you need longer protection, you can either reapply or choose a product with up to 30% DEET concentration.

It’s important to note that DEET in lotion or wipe form is equally effective as sprays and eliminates the risk of inhalation. However, Dr. Day advises against wearable DEET items like wristbands or anklets, as these have not been proven to prevent mosquito bites effectively.

Exploring Effective DEET Alternatives for Mosquito Protection

While DEET is highly effective, some individuals prefer alternative repellents. Fortunately, several other options have been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as effective mosquito deterrents.

What are CDC-recommended alternatives to DEET?

• Picaridin
• IR3535
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone

Among these alternatives, picaridin stands out as particularly effective. Dr. Roberto M. Pereira, an entomologist and research scientist at the University of Florida, notes that picaridin was developed for military use, similar to DEET, and has shown comparable efficacy.

When choosing a mosquito repellent, Dr. Nancy Troyano, a board-certified entomologist, recommends looking for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval on the product label. This certification ensures both effectiveness and safety.

The Role of Body Temperature in Mosquito Attraction

Your body temperature can play a significant role in how attractive you are to mosquitoes. These insects are drawn to the pheromones released in human sweat, making you more noticeable to them when you’re overheated.

How can you minimize sweat-related mosquito attraction?

• Stay in cooler areas during hot weather
• Use air conditioning or fans when indoors
• Stay hydrated to regulate body temperature
• Wear breathable, moisture-wicking clothing

It’s important to note that mosquito attraction can vary significantly between individuals. Some people, as Russell points out, seem to attract mosquitoes regardless of their diet, clothing, or other factors. However, for most people, minimizing sweat production, especially during peak mosquito hours, can help reduce the likelihood of bites.

Strategic Clothing Choices for Mosquito Prevention

Your wardrobe can be a powerful tool in your mosquito prevention arsenal. The right clothing choices can significantly reduce your risk of bites.

What clothing features best protect against mosquito bites?

• Tight weave fabrics
• Synthetic fibers, especially high-tech athletic wear
• Garments with built-in sun protection
• Light-colored clothing
• Long sleeves and pants

Dr. Day explains that mosquitoes cannot penetrate clothing with a very tight weave. While natural fibers like cotton and linen typically don’t provide adequate protection, many synthetic fabrics used in athletic wear are woven tightly enough to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Color also plays a role in mosquito attraction. During daylight hours, mosquitoes use vision to locate potential food sources. They tend to fly close to the ground and are drawn to objects that contrast with the horizon. Dark colors stand out more, making light-colored clothing a better choice for reducing mosquito attention.

Creating a Mosquito-Unfriendly Environment in Your Outdoor Spaces

Beyond personal protection measures, modifying your outdoor environment can significantly reduce mosquito populations around your home and outdoor living areas.

How can you make your outdoor spaces less attractive to mosquitoes?

• Eliminate standing water sources
• Maintain your lawn and garden regularly
• Use mosquito-repelling plants
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors
• Use outdoor mosquito traps or zappers

Mosquitoes require standing water to breed, so removing or regularly changing water in bird baths, pet bowls, and other containers can dramatically reduce local mosquito populations. Keeping your lawn mowed and removing excess vegetation can also eliminate mosquito resting places.

Certain plants, such as citronella, marigolds, and lavender, are known to repel mosquitoes naturally. Strategically placing these plants around your outdoor living areas can create a more mosquito-resistant environment.

The Impact of Time of Day on Mosquito Activity

Understanding the daily rhythms of mosquito activity can help you plan your outdoor time more effectively. While dawn and dusk are peak feeding times for many mosquito species, it’s important to note that some species have different activity patterns.

How does mosquito activity vary throughout the day?

• Early morning: Activity increases as temperatures rise
• Midday: Many species rest in shaded areas to avoid heat
• Late afternoon: Activity begins to increase again
• Evening: Peak feeding time for many species
• Night: Some species remain active, especially in urban areas

Urban environments, with their artificial lighting and heat islands, can alter natural mosquito behavior patterns. In these settings, some mosquito species may remain active throughout the night, particularly in well-lit areas.

The Role of Carbon Dioxide in Mosquito Attraction

While we often focus on visual and temperature-based attraction, carbon dioxide plays a crucial role in how mosquitoes locate their prey. Mosquitoes are highly sensitive to CO2 and can detect it from impressive distances.

How do mosquitoes use CO2 to find their targets?

• Detect CO2 plumes from up to 50 meters away
• Follow CO2 gradients to locate breathing animals
• Use CO2 detection in combination with heat sensing

This sensitivity to CO2 is one reason why mosquitoes often seem more attracted to adults than children, and why pregnant women (who exhale more CO2) may experience increased mosquito attention. Understanding this aspect of mosquito behavior can help inform more effective prevention strategies, such as the use of CO2-baited traps in outdoor areas.

The Effectiveness of Natural and Plant-Based Repellents

While synthetic repellents like DEET and picaridin are highly effective, many people are interested in natural alternatives. Some plant-based products have shown promise in repelling mosquitoes, though they often require more frequent reapplication.

Which natural products have shown mosquito-repelling properties?

• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Citronella oil
• Neem oil
• Soybean oil
• Eucalyptus oil

Among these, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) stands out as particularly effective. The CDC has recognized OLE as a reliable mosquito repellent, making it a good option for those seeking a natural alternative to DEET. However, it’s important to note that “natural” doesn’t always mean “safer” – some plant-based oils can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

The Impact of Diet on Mosquito Attraction

There’s a common belief that certain foods or drinks can make you more or less attractive to mosquitoes. While the scientific evidence is mixed, some studies have suggested potential connections between diet and mosquito attraction.

How might your diet influence mosquito attraction?

• Alcohol consumption may increase attractiveness
• High potassium foods might make you more appealing
• Garlic consumption may have a slight repellent effect
• B vitamins have shown mixed results in studies

It’s important to note that while these dietary factors may have some influence, they’re generally less significant than other factors like body heat, CO2 production, and the use of effective repellents. Your overall body chemistry, which is influenced by genetics as well as diet, plays a more substantial role in how attractive you are to mosquitoes.

The Importance of Post-Bite Care

Despite our best prevention efforts, mosquito bites can sometimes occur. Proper care of bites can reduce discomfort and potential complications.

How should you care for mosquito bites?

1. Clean the area with soap and water
2. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
3. Use calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream for itching
4. Take an oral antihistamine if symptoms are severe
5. Avoid scratching to prevent infection

In most cases, mosquito bites are merely a nuisance. However, in areas where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent, it’s important to monitor for any unusual symptoms following a bite. If you develop a fever, headache, or other concerning symptoms after being bitten, consult a healthcare professional promptly.

The Future of Mosquito Control: Emerging Technologies

As our understanding of mosquito biology and behavior advances, new technologies for mosquito control are emerging. These innovative approaches aim to reduce mosquito populations or prevent bites more effectively and with fewer environmental impacts.

What new technologies are being developed for mosquito control?

• Gene drive techniques to reduce mosquito populations
• Sterile insect techniques (SIT) for population control
• Advanced traps using AI for species-specific targeting
• Nanoparticle-based repellents for longer-lasting protection
• Biological control using natural predators or pathogens

While many of these technologies are still in development or early stages of implementation, they offer promising avenues for more effective and environmentally friendly mosquito control in the future. As these technologies advance, they may provide new tools to complement existing prevention strategies, potentially reducing the global burden of mosquito-borne diseases.

11 Proven Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites

1

Blow them away with a breeze.

M_a_y_a//Getty Images

Almost any breeze—anything above 1 MPH—makes it very difficult for mosquitoes to fly, says Jonathan Day, Ph.D., a mosquito expert and professor of medical entomology at the University of Florida. If you can pick a breezy spot for your summer outing, that can help prevent mosquito bites.

Plug-in fans are also a great deterrent, he adds. Just keep the flow of air directed at the lower half of your body; mosquitoes tend to fly very close to the ground to avoid wind, so directing the fan’s force downward will block their approach.

Natural wind or a fan will work much more in your favor than those fancy, ultrasonic devices and apps marketed as mosquito repellants—some of which claim to mimic the sound of dragonflies. “They don’t work at all,” Day says.

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2

Avoid peak mosquito hours when you can.

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Just like you, mosquitoes crave a meal during certain times of day, says Howard Russell, M. S., an entomologist at Michigan State University. And for these critters, it’s often around dusk and dawn.

That’s because the wind typically dissipates as the sun rises and sets, which brings mosquitoes out to feed, Day explains. If you can try to stay inside during these times when the weather is warm, you’ll be able to prevent more than a few mosquito bites.

3

Apply DEET before you head outdoors.

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DEET has a bad reputation, but adverse reactions to it are rare—and tend to occur only when people swallow or snort the stuff. When used as directed, it’s extremely effective, since it blocks a mosquito’s CO2 receoptors, Day says. Still, he’s quick to add: “Most people don’t understand how to apply it properly.” (Fun fact: DEET makes a great tick repellent, too.)

First, you should not spray DEET on your body and clothes like it’s perfume, he stresses. Instead, squirt a little onto your hands and rub it onto your ankles, elbows, wrists, forehead, and all the other places where your skin is thin—and where mosquitoes love to feed.

Also important: Day says a product’s DEET concentration determines how long it will last—not how well it will work. If you’ll be outside for 90 minutes or less, he says a product with 7 to 10% DEET will do the job, and you can always reapply to extend its efficacy (do not go higher than 30%). DEET in lotion or wipe form is also just as effective as a spray and removes the risk of inhaling it.

Finally, don’t waste your money on wearable DEET items, like wristbands or anklets—they don’t actually prevent mosquito bites, says Day.

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4

Use other mosquito repellents if you’re not into DEET.

Photoboyko//Getty Images

If you just can’t with DEET, there are other options that are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for use in repelling mosquitoes, including:

• Picaridin
• IR3535
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone

While all of the above have been found to be effective like DEET, picaridin is the next best choice. “This is something that was developed for the military just like DEET was,” says Roberto M. Pereira, Ph.D., an entomologist and research scientist at the University of Florida. “It works really well.”

If you’re at the store and you’re not sure if a repellent has these ingredients, “your safest bet is to look for Environmental Protection Agency approval on the product’s label,” says Nancy Troyano, Ph.D., a board-certified entomologist and Director of Operations Education and Training for Western Exterminator Company. If it does, it should be effective and safe.

5

Try to stay cool.

RUSS ROHDE//Getty Images

This can be easier said than done in the summer, but mosquitoes are drawn in by pheromones released in your sweat, says Pereira.

This can vary from person to person. “Some people, like me, attract mosquitoes regardless of what they drink, eat, or wear,” says Russell. Still, the more you can do to take it easy on the sweating—especially during peak mosquito hours—the better.

6

Wear tightly woven, light-colored clothes.

shapecharge//Getty Images

Mosquitoes can’t penetrate clothing that has a very tight weave, Day says. While cotton and linen typically aren’t great armor against mosquito bites, Day says many synthetic fibers—particularly high-tech athletic apparel—tend to be woven tightly enough to keep bugs out. Any garment that offers sun protection will also have a tight enough weave to prevent mosquito bites, especially when you opt for long sleeves and pants.

Mosquitoes also use their vision to search for food sources during the daylight hours. Since they fly very close to the ground, they tend to find targets by looking for things that contrast with the horizon, Day says. “Dark colors stand out, but light colors are less attractive to them,” he adds. Of course, make sure you protect any exposed areas with a repellent if you’re going to be spending time outdoors for a long period of time.

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7

Give your heart a breather.

Thiemi Higashi / EyeEm//Getty Images

Day says carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary thing mosquitoes search for to identify food sources. And when your heart rate is elevated, your body produces more CO2. From exercise to drinking alcohol to eating spicy foods, anything that cranks up your metabolic rate will increase your CO2 production—and make you irresistible to mosquitoes, Day says. Unfortunately, being overweight or pregnant can also up your CO2 output, he adds.

If you’re outdoors and you know your heart rate will be spiking, make sure you wear protective clothing or apply a repellent to keep bug bites at bay.

8

Get rid of standing water around your home.

romrodinka//Getty Images

There are different types of mosquitoes, and the “mosquitoes that we worry about in urban areas are usually ones that are being produced in your own backyard,” Pereira says. Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit Zika virus and chikungunya, can easily breed in small containers of water like a birdbath or even water sitting around your plants. “They can breed in your own yard, and you wouldn’t necessarily know it,” Pereira says.

Do your best to clear out any standing water to lower the odds that you’ll have lots of mosquitoes hanging around your place ready to bite.

9

Consider adding plants that repel mosquitoes to your property.

Hs Jo / EyeEm//Getty Images

This shouldn’t be your only mosquito-combating strategy, but Pereira says that certain plants repel mosquitoes. Those include things like citronella, lavender, lemongrass, marigolds, and basil. “If you had enough, it could make a difference in terms of mosquitoes inside your property,” he says.

Just keep realistic expectations about what these can and can’t do, Troyano says. While they may help tamp down on the number of mosquitoes around your place, “even planted in large quantities, the potency of these plants would not be enough to keep mosquitoes out of your yard entirely,” she says.

The same goes for citronella candles and oils. While they’re natural insect repellents, Day says they only work if their scent or smoke gets between you and the mosquito. So if you’re lighting tiki torches that sit a few feet off the ground, they won’t do much to prevent mosquito bites, he says.

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10

Spray your yard for mosquitoes.

Huntstock//Getty Images

If you live in an area where the mosquitoes are unbearable, it might be worth hiring a professional to come and treat your yard with insecticide, Russell says. This can do a pretty good job of ensuring they won’t come anywhere near your place.

As for mosquito traps? They’ve been souped up with fancy features to attract mosquitoes with special lights, heats, or scents. “There’s no doubt that traps can—under the right environmental conditions—capture of a lot of mosquitoes,” Day says. Realistically, though, you can’t catch ‘em all. “Over the last 30 years, there have been many traps marketed as being able to clear a one-acre or five-acre lot,” Day says, “and it has never been my experience, even with very efficient traps, that they can rid a whole area of mosquitoes. ”

A trap in the middle of your backyard will kill mosquitoes that fly close enough to sense its lures, sure, he says, but countless more will come flying into your yard to fill the space they leave behind. Mosquitoes are also adept at telling the difference between a trap and a living, breathing host—a.k.a. you.

11

Avoid scented products.

JGI/Jamie Grill//Getty Images

This can be tough, but it’s definitely worth a try if mosquitoes are terrible in your area. “Any scented perfume, lotion, or soap could potentially attract mosquitoes,” Troyano says. “If you want to reduce your attractiveness to mosquitoes, avoid scented products in general.”

Korin Miller

Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.

Markham Heid

Markham Heid is an experienced health reporter and writer, has contributed to outlets like TIME, Men’s Health, and Everyday Health, and has received reporting awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Maryland, Delaware, and D.C. Press Association.

How to Identify Bug Bites

How to Identify Bug Bites

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Identifying different bugs and their corresponding bites is important.

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• Not all bug bites are equally dangerous, so it’s important to know what to look out for.
• Tick bites sometimes look like a bullseye, while mite bites are itchy and can look like a rash.
• Here’s how to identify common bug bites.

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Bug bites can be hard to identify, especially when there are so many household critters that can leave you with a bite.

While most insects you’ll encounter are harmless, there are a few specific bites that might warrant a trip to the doctor and it’s important to be able to identify these potentially dangerous bites.

From tick bites to wasp and hornet stings, each bug leaves behind distinct marks and symptoms that are worth knowing. Stock up on calamine lotion and check out this guide to identifying some of the most common bug bites and the symptoms associated with each.

Dangerous tick bites sometimes look like a bullseye.

The “bullseye” rash is sometimes seen in people with Lyme disease.

CDC/Wikimedia Commons

While many ticks don’t transmit disease, there numerous illnesses you can contract from ticks, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Contrary to what you might have heard, ticks do not intentionally jump or drop onto their hosts. They simply crawl or hitch a ride on plant material, according to the CDC.

A tick bite that has not led to an infection can look like a small red circle. There may be minimal itching or swelling, according to John Hopkins Rheumatology.

A bite from a tick carrying Lyme disease may leave you with a bullseye-shaped rash involving concentric rings of reddened and lighter colored skin. This pattern may develop up to a month after the bite and never develops at all in up to 30% of people. This rash is not usually painful, according to the CDC.

Bedbug bites often show up in a line.

Bedbug bites are small and show up in a line.

Oliver Arend/Wikimedia Commons

Bedbug bites have a distinctive, clustered look to them. You probably won’t feel the bite of a bedbug, but you’ll certainly notice the groupings of red marks that often form a line across your skin, according to the CDC.

These bites are itchy, but the amount of discomfort varies from person to person. Some people experience a severe allergic reaction to bedbug saliva and develop an intense itch between 24 hours to three days later.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends enlisting the help of a pest-control company to clear your home of bed bugs, and to head to a dermatologist if you have many bites or a bite that looks infected.

Mosquito bites are puffy and itchy.

Mosquito bites can swell, especially if you scratch them.

Ekaterina Karetkina/Shutterstock

Mosquito bites look like round pink or red bumps. They’re usually itchy and appear very soon after being bitten, according to Healthline. You typically won’t feel anything while the bite is occurring.

While mosquitoes don’t have any venom of their own, they can carry dangerous diseases like the West Nile virus, malaria, and the Zika virus. Symptoms of these illnesses might not appear for up to four weeks, so get yourself checked by a doctor if you think you’ve been infected, according to the CDC.

Mite bites are extremely itchy and could look like a rash.

Mite bites appear similar to a rash.

Slturis/Wikimedia Commons

Mites, including chiggers, cause bites that look like small, red dots. They are usually extremely itchy and can even look like a solid skin rash if many bites are close together.

Chiggers are a type of mite that liquefies the skin around a bite so that they can eat it. If you’re dealing with a chigger bite, you might notice the surrounding skin harden in response to this reaction, according to WebMD.

Mites can cause scabies, which is a contagious condition in which mites burrow into the skin and lay eggs. According to the CDC, scabies frequently presents in places where direct and prolonged skin-to-skin contact is common such as nursing homes, child care facilities, and between sexual partners.

Ant bites are usually painful and can become infected.

Ant bites can blister.

Wikimedia Commons

Most household black ants are harmless and do not bite, but sugar ants, fire ants, and carpenter ants can deliver a painful sting, according to WebMD.

If you are bitten by fire ants, you can expect to see small red blisters and could also develop tiny white pustules on the site of the bite. Do not try to drain or open the blisters as they could become infected. Carpenter ants actually apply formic acid into their bites, which makes them extremely painful.

These ant bites should resolve after three to seven days, though scratching the bites could cause scars.

Lice bites are almost too small to see.

Lice bites are too small to see, but you can definitely feel them.

Joe Corrigan/Getty Images

Head lice are tiny, parasitic insects that live on the human scalp and feed on blood. Their bites are usually almost too small to see but can itch fiercely.

The CDC reported that head lice do not carry any disease or bacteria, though some people may develop a large rash from multiple lice bites. Body lice, however, can carry disease, according to the CDC. Lice are spread via direct person-to-person contact and cannot jump or live longer than 48 hours off of a human host.

Horsefly bites are painful and potentially dangerous.

The bite is red with a pale area.

National Health Services

Horseflies are common around livestock and in rural environments. The bite itself is painful and you will most likely be aware it is happening, according to the UK National Health Service. The bite of a horsefly may look like a red circle with a pale center area. 

Some people experience allergic reactions to horsefly bites with symptoms including shortness of breath and swelling.

Wasp and hornet stings can stay swollen for up to a week.

Swelling can last up to a week.

Kai Hendry/Flickr/2.0 Attribution

A wasp or hornet resembles a bee in coloration, but they’re not the same. A wasp sting feels like a sharp, sudden pain followed by the formation of a red and swollen mark, according to the National Health Service.

Though wasp stings usually calm down after a few hours, some stings can persist for days and lead to swelling that lasts up to a week.

Midge or gnat bites look like mosquito bites.

Midge bites start as small, itchy bumps.

National Health Services

A bite from a midge or gnat will usually present as a small, itchy red bump. The National Health Service said these bumps can be painful and sometimes swell up quite a bit.

Occasionally, midge bites may develop blisters that fill with fluid. It’s important not to pick at these as breaking the blisters could lead to scarring.

A black widow spider bite has two fang marks.

You’ll notice two puncture marks.

David~O/Flickr/2.0 Attribution

While most spider bites will only leave you with a small, swollen red mark, a few household spiders can be deadly.

The bite of a black widow spider looks like a red patch with two puncture marks. The spider itself has a distinctive red hourglass pattern on its body. You might feel the bite or you might not notice. Pain and swelling will set in after about 40 minutes, and within eight hours you might feel muscle pain, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and breathing difficulties, according to Healthline.

Head to the doctor if you suspect you have been bitten by a black widow spider.

Brown recluse spider bites might form a blister and need swift medical attention.

It might resemble a bruise.

Wikimedia Commons

Brown recluse spiders are native to Midwestern and Southeastern states. While these spiders are extremely dangerous, they are also very rare. All reported deaths from brown recluse spider bites in the US have been in children younger than seven years old, according to AL.com.

Brown recluse bites are usually painless, though a white or light-colored blister might develop at the site of the bite. As time passes, this bite could start to look like a bruise or turn crusty. Symptoms usually appear within two to eight hours and include severe pain and itching, nausea, vomiting, fever, and muscle pain, according to Emedicinehealth.

The bite of a brown recluse spider is very dangerous and can lead to seizures, kidney failure, and coma. If left untreated, a bite from a brown recluse spider might also cause a necrotic lesion, which is basically an area of dead tissue. Head to your doctor or the local hospital for this one.

Bee stings look like hives and could still contain a stinger.

The surrounding area will be red.

Wikimedia Commons

You’ll probably know if you’ve been stung by a bee, as the sting is painful. The stung area will likely appear as a raised light bump with a red dot in the center and is usually surrounded by pink or irritated skin. The site could still contain the detached stinger of the bee.

Bee stings can result in a severe allergic reaction in some people that can lead to swelling in the lungs and throat, called anaphylaxis. This can lead to death if not immediately treated. Other severe symptoms include trouble breathing, dizziness, vomiting, and cardiac arrest, according to Mayo Clinic.

If you’ve been stung by a bee before, your body might develop an immune response to subsequent stings that can lead to severe swelling at the sting site or across large areas of your body.

Flea bites are small and scattered.

Flea bites are tiny.

Wikimedia Commons

Flea bites typically look like tiny hives or spots. They might appear in groups of three or four and are frequently itchy. Flea bites are common around the ankles and legs but can appear anywhere. If pressed by a finger, a flea bite rash may turn white.

Fleas are harmless, but in incredibly rare cases they may carry the bacteria that causes plague. However, only seven people contract plague in the United States each year on average, according to the CDC.   

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90,000 who leaves what to do?

You wake up and see bright markings on your legs, stomach, arms, and maybe other parts of your body. Sometimes they itch, sometimes they don’t. We will analyze in detail where the red spots on the body come from, like bites, what are the consequences and what are their differences. All answers are below. Let’s start with an interesting story.

“I was bitten by a snake”: two dots around swollen skin

It was with these words that our friend Peter jumped up in the middle of the night. The whole family got excited. Mom began to look at the wound. The problem was also created by the fact that people were in the village, 35 km from the nearest hospital. Then the question arose whether to go to the doctors at 3 am and whether our hero would die before morning. You will say: “Of course, go, this is a man!”, But 15 years ago, more severe customs reigned in the villages. Fortunately, the presence of a snake was quickly ruled out, because another creature was found in the room.

Two-tail attacks: 2 centimeters long, huge whiskers and spread paws, and pincers in the back. This is what a cute creature, also called an earwig, looks like.

• Threat #1 — Our new “friend” has no stinger, and the scary-looking device is a cerci, forceps, with which it holds prey. They can bite you too. Red dots on the body will look like the bites of a cold-blooded animal, but they will not cause harm;
• Threat #2 – In rare cases, a two-tailed bug will climb into a person’s ear and roam in it. She won’t eat her brain, but she’s pretty scary. And don’t forget about ticks. If the population of the species in the house grows, then the likelihood of such an incident also increases.

The earwig looks intimidating, but does not pose an impressive threat, however, after carrying out a complex treatment of the more dangerous inhabitants of apartments, houses and offices, you will get rid of it. However, do not forget to inspect the premises for snakes. They usually don’t get very far.

Marks itch

Red bites on the body

The most common situation is when spots, like bites, itch. The first thing that should come to mind is the possibility of mosquitoes or mosquitoes. The latter are usually quickly detected by buzzing and tactile sensations during landing on the skin. Yes, and you can see a flying army without any special devices. Look at the distinguishing features of the creatures:

• Mosquitoes are small, up to 3 mm. The body is hairy. After dinner, they become red-brown in color. They fly slowly and silently;
• Mosquitoes: “buzzers”, often lulling people to sleep, and then proceeding to the meal. Grow up to 10 mm. Together with paws, they can cover up to 2 cm.

This is the most familiar and dangerous predator for us. Due to the fact that people are used to them, society underestimates the extent of the threat. And by the way, these creatures kill from 700 thousand to 2 million people a year. About the same number die from AIDS. Therefore, professional disinfestation of premises in the ranks of educated people is the norm. Take a look at other creatures whose bites itch red:

Bed bugs

Bed bugs are common in our environment. Individuals grow up to 8 mm. They are equipped with a proboscis, with the help of which human skin is pierced. Due to the small size of the body of the insect, mechanical methods of extermination are useless. It should be noted a long life expectancy – up to 14 months. Largely thanks to her, creatures generate hordes of their own kind in a short time. If the same mosquito dies in 2 months, forcing us to face only the young, then here the old people also go into battle.

Characteristic features of bites:

• Time of attack – most often from 2 to 7 in the morning;
• Localization – on the hands, face, legs;
• Shape – round with a pronounced centre;
• The appearance of – is similar to what remains of mosquitoes.

Spots on the body can be treated with alcohol tinctures, but oils (from rose hips, sea buckthorn, etc.) help the best. There are special gels.

Fleas

Another creepy bug that loves to feed on animals and people, especially children. Individuals are equipped with a strong shell, thanks to which they cannot be crushed. They are fast and jumpy – if you feel a characteristic burning sensation on the skin and notice a point that has suddenly disappeared from the cover, know that a flea has attacked you.

Characteristic features of food traces:

• Attack time – any;
• Location – in 80% of leg cases. Rarely hands. The rest of the body is attacked very infrequently;
• Form – round, oval, custom.
• View – intense color. Sometimes the swelling subsides, leaving only burgundy dots;

Red spots on the body, from bites, itch much more strongly than mosquitoes. Plus longer.

They hurt

Red blisters on the body itch

Unpleasant sensations are caused by the attack of wasps and bees, which you most likely will not lose sight of. Spiders in the Russian Federation can bite, leaving a couple of marks, but you should not be afraid of them. Moreover, their presence becomes a good prevention of the extermination of insects. Arthropods do not tolerate diseases, unlike the same mosquitoes and flies. Another thing is that they compete with the brave pest control workers who take care of you. However, it’s not that noticeable. Do not cover the whole house with cobwebs. But with a fog, consisting of destroying and repelling agents, it is very easy. In addition, this will give a 100% result of getting rid of uninvited “guests”.

There are also ticks that often hang on the neck, but in some cases they go away. The danger here lies in the large number of disease-carrying individuals. To protect against them, it is necessary to cover trees and bushes near the house with a solution, but that’s another story.

Interesting: most of the blood-sucking inhabitants of the planet inject a kind of anesthesia into the body of the victim so that she does not notice the predator. This is what causes itching. Bees and similar organisms do not feed on humans, and therefore do not need such tools.

Briefly about pest control

Many people are afraid to call SES. They think it’s difficult. In fact, the processing takes less than an hour. Surfaces can be washed and the active ingredients remain odorless and health hazards for up to 2 months. Even after the end of their action, insects prefer not to approach a potentially dangerous area – this is an instinct. For some reason, many people spend time going to the store, buying non-working products (have you heard anywhere other than advertising that all mosquitoes or cockroaches disappear from the spray?). Then the hours go to their spraying. Later, the lack of results, new expenses, etc. are monitored. But you just need to order a professional pest control. One call → 50 minutes → clean house.

articles from specialists of the clinic “Mother and Child”

Vergazova Asya Nikolaevna

Rheumatologist, Endocrinologist

Clinical Hospital “AVICENNA” SC “Mother and Child”

Mosquitoes, midges (a substance that prevents blood from clotting). Therefore, the bite site is very itchy.

At the site of the bite mosquito appears redness and a small blister that itches, the bite itself is not painful. But the bite of the midge is generally not immediately felt. Itching, burning appear the next day, and they are much stronger than with a mosquito bite, plus the midge bite site is very red and swollen.

What to do: To relieve itching, apply something cold (ice). You can also make a compress with a solution of soda (half a teaspoon per glass of water). The bite can be lubricated with an antihistamine cream (gel, ointment) or a special Balm after bites .

Important: care must be taken that the child does not comb the bites, otherwise the wound may become infected. The bite of the midge heals for a long time.

Horsefly

Horsefly is a large fly that loves damp places and sunshine. The bite of this insect is very painful.

A large blister immediately appears at the site of the bite of , which is very itchy.

What to do: Wash the bite with soap and water or treat with an antiseptic. To relieve itching and swelling, you need to apply cold, the same soda compress, antihistamine cream (gel, ointment) will help.

Important: horseflies are completely harmless in the shade and attack only on sunny lawns, closer to water bodies. If the bite is combed, then it will heal for a long time.

Bees, wasps, bumblebees

Bees, wasps, bumblebees, hornets (huge wasps) – these insects do not just bite, they sting and with the help of a sting introduce a strong protein poison into the human body. When bitten, bees leave a sting in the wound, so they bite once, but the rest of the stingers can attack again.

Burning pain, redness, swelling and itching of the skin appear at the site of the bite , the area around the wound becomes hot, if a bee has bitten, then the sting is visible. Sometimes, due to poison, intoxication or severe allergies can occur: the child has a headache, he is weak and lethargic, he is sick or even vomits, he has impaired coordination, his body temperature rises, rarely, but there is also loss of consciousness. The same reaction happens if several insects have stung at once.

What to do: remove the sting if there is one (it is better to do this with tweezers). Wash the wound with soap or treat with hydrogen peroxide. Apply cold. You can lubricate the sore spot with antihistamine cream (ointment, gel) . If the skin develops swelling and severe redness, give the child an antihistamine by mouth. After a bite, you need to watch the baby for about half an hour. In case of complications, a doctor should be called.

Important: if there are several bites, if they are in the mouth, on the face, neck, then it is better to go to the hospital or call a doctor: swelling is very widespread in these places.

Tick

Tick digs into the skin and secretes a large amount of saliva into the wound, along with it pathogens of various infections can enter the human body, the most common: encephalitis and borreliosis (Lyme disease). By itself, the tick bite is not felt in any way

A black dot of different sizes is visible at the site of the bite – this is the tick itself. There is no swelling or itching.

What to do : remove the tick. It is better to do this in an emergency room or hospital, because if there is no skill, then it is easy to tear off the body of the tick, and its head and proboscis will remain in the skin. But if the doctors are far away, then you can try to unscrew the insect with tweezers, like a screw (you can’t pull, just twist it). It is useless to drip oil on a tick and wait for it to fall off on its own. It is advisable to take the removed tick for analysis to find out if it is a carrier of the infection.

Repellents

• These substances protect against bites, but it must be understood that poisons that are dangerous to insects are also dangerous to humans. It is necessary to use repellent only if there are really a lot of insects or their bite causes a strong reaction in the child.
• It is necessary to apply only a baby product with a low concentration of the active substance (up to 10%). The repellent must not contain diethyltoluamide ( DEET ). It is toxic, so in children under 6 years old it is not even used for clothing.
• Do not aerosolize the face – only cream, ointment or gel. Do not treat areas with scratches, wounds, inflammation, lips and eyelids with repellent. It makes no sense to treat skin areas hidden by clothing.
• After the walk, change clothes, take a shower and wash off the remains of the substance from the child.
• If there is an allergy, then it is better not to use the repellent at all.

How to prevent a bite

Preventing an insect bite is easier than treating it later:

• Cover sweet fruits and desserts, otherwise they will attract a lot of insects. Before you give your child juice from a cup or a piece of watermelon, you need to see if a wasp or a bee is hiding there. And after eating, it is worth wiping the baby’s lips with a wet napkin.
• Bright and colorful dresses strongly attract insects. They also love floral scents. So in nature it is better to dress discreetly and not eat sweet food.
• It is better for a child not to walk barefoot on grass or sand – there may be a bee or a wasp sitting there.
• When walking in a forest or a meadow (a place that is very fond of ticks), you need to wear clothes with closed sleeves, trousers with cuffs at the bottom (or tuck them into shoes). Put on a cap or panama on your head. Every hour it is worth carefully examining the clothes and body of the child.

Insects like to bite especially children, because their skin is thin, and blood circulation is very active.

A child can get a wasp or bee sting by inadvertently stepping on an insect with a bare foot, or if the child eats some sweet fruit that the insect has suddenly landed on.